Hibernian 0
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

United's new acquisition, former England international Charlie George, had been pencilled in to make his debut against newly appointed Pat Stanton's Hibs side at Easter Road, but having travelled north he strained a calf muscle in training and headed back home the night before the match. Therefore the only change to the team that drew with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday was Graeme Payne in for Billy Kirkwood.

Hibs threatened first when Peter Welsh dribbled his way into the 18 yard box, but screwed the ball past the post. United then had a penalty appeal turned down when Jackie McNamara fouled Payne just inside the box, and Davie Dodds nearly put them in front when he took advantage of a weak Ralph Callachan pass back, but shot tamely against Jim McArthur's legs. Ian Britton fired in a good shot from the edge of the 18 yard area, Welsh shot across goal for Hibs and Paul Sturrock tried a first time shot on the turn but sent it just wide.

The rest of the match had a lot of effort from both teams, without much goal mouth action. There were plenty hard tackles, with Gordon Rae lucky not to at least pick up a booking for a couple of hefty challenges on Sturrock and Dodds. United, though the better side, failed to threaten the Hibs defence and so had to be satisfied with a second successive draw.